Albergo del Chianti

Montefioralle is a magical medieval village

by Beausoleil

We spent a wonderful week just outside Greve-in-Chianti and one of the favorite places we found was the tiny fortified village of Montefioralle. It's not on our Michelin map and if it weren't for the Greve Tourist web site, we never would have heard of it.

We spent a lovely Sunday afternoon there walking around, visiting the fortified cobblestone village, eating at a delightful restaurant, visiting the church and making friends with all the kitties walking around town.

I highly recommend the Taverna del Guerrino for lunch with a view. Also look for the birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci. The house is identified by a wasp (vespa) above the doorway.

There is a map on the web site below to help you find the village. There will be no other tourists there. Hard to find places like that in Tuscany these days.

Greve in Chianti - the Chianti hills

by ammonet

"Piazza Matteotti in Greve"

The small market town of Greve in Chianti is centred on Piazza Matteotti, a triangular-shaped piazza sometimes likened to a ship because of the number of famous navigators born in the region. A statue of Verazzano, discoverer of New York harbour, stands in the piazza, and Amerigo Vespucci after whom America is named was born in the nearby village of Montefioralle. A wasp, "vespa", the symbol of the family, marks the house. The town web site at www.greve-in-chianti.com provides much useful information on what to see and where to stay.

"Montefioralle"

A fairly stiff 20 min uphill walk brings you to the Castello of Montefioralle, actually the remnants of a fortified village, still inhabited and well worth a visit. The higest point is occupied by the church and this is surrounded by a circular street lined on both sides by small houses dating back to the 12 C. There is a single and good restaurant and a small piazza where one may sit and enjoy the view.